A debate has erupted in Greece over a lawmaker's statement regarding boats carrying migrants
A heated debate erupted in the Greek Parliament following a statement by a member of the ruling New Democracy party. The politician expressed a controversial view regarding boats carrying migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, which sparked public outcry and political controversy in the country.
"So, he (the smuggler) sets off with illegal migrants, and they end up on the open sea. I’m open to suggestions. Are we going to sink the boat or not?” asked Makis Voridis, an influential MP from New Democracy, during a debate on a bill to implement the EU migration pact.
Voridis, a former minister for migration, belongs to the right wing of the ruling party and is considered a hardliner on migration issues.
His statement sparked a strong reaction from the opposition, and the socialist PASOK party accused him of using far-right rhetoric. Kostas Arvanitis, a left-wing MEP from the Syriza party, noted that with the new EU migration pact set to take effect, member states have already begun implementing Trump-style policies toward migrants.
Voridis responded on Wednesday that his question was rhetorical, asserting that no political party wants to sink boats, but rather to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
For the opposition, however, his rhetoric comes as no surprise, given the upcoming elections and the emergence of new political parties that have shaken up the political landscape.
Elections are scheduled for 2027, but Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is facing increasing pressure to hold them earlier.
This is reported by Euractiv.
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